THE Scotland skipper played the final 30 minutes of the benefit match as United went down to a 2-1 defeat at Pittodrie.

SCOTLAND captain Darren Fletcher made his Manchester United return following a lengthy lay-off in a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen in a benefit match for Dons legend Neil Simpson.

The United midfielder had not played since November 22 last year after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.

The 28-year-old played the final 30 minutes in front of a packed Pittodrie that saw goals from Jonny Hayes and Joe Shaughnessy give the Dons victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who netted a consolation through Anderson in the closing stages.

"He joined in training a couple of weeks ago and it's one of those situations where you say: 'Let's see how he does because he has had a really difficult time in the last year'.

"Therefore, I wasn't really placing too much hope in it but let's see how he does.

"He's got to the stage now where he feels he needs a game. I let him join Scotland this week but he wanted a game so I said: 'Come to Aberdeen and join up afterwards'.

"I'll give him 20 to 25 minutes."

Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes steers the ball under David De Gea

Simpson, who was a member of Ferguson's Aberdeen team that won the Cup Winners' Cup in 1983, was given a standing ovation as he kicked the match off before being replaced with less than 30 seconds gone.

Nevertheless, his cameo appearance was enough to earn him that man-of-the-match award.